Here are 13 homemade chainsaw mills that you can DIY easily using readily available materials. The DIY project is an improvement of the regular premium quality homemade chainsaw mills. The first step involves creating rails and support for the entire chainsaw mill build, assemble, attach anchors, but don’t forget to sled the chainsaw and attachments.
You can buy a chainsaw mill – there are plenty to pick from for just about every budget – but if you are confident in your DIY skills, you may decide to build your own instead. For anyone who is thinking about trying but who doesn’t know where to start, we bring you 9 homemade chainsaw mill plans you can DIY easily. Here’s a more original idea – rather than the typical “Alaskan” chainsaw mill that is available to buy and that many people try to make at home, this DIYer came up with a plan for a simple chainsaw mill that cuts vertically. Assuming you know how to handle a chainsaw and take the necessary steps to ensure your safety, building your own chainsaw mill at home can be a highly rewarding enterprise.
This started as an idea after making my homemade band saw mill and comparing the apparent inefficiency of that to the simple chainsaw mills that most use. I got to thinking about how I could rig one up to cut my short lengths of hard maple, and came up with the idea of making the saw run on a post that is set in the ground. More details on how I made that and attached the saw in the video below.
When planning our homestead we’d done a ton of research on milling your own lumber, whether to build a DIY homemade chainsaw mill, using a homemade chainsaw mill and getting to try it out for the first time was both scary and exciting. “Every chainsaw mill design out there is a little different. Our DIY homemade Alaskan mill was designed to fit our Stihl MS660 92cc chainsaw with a 36” bar. We weren’t sure we’d invest in a commercial mill as we didn’t really know what was involved in milling you own lumber and whether it was a worthwhile venture.
how to make a chainsaw lumber mill Related Question:
Are chainsaw mills worth it?
A chainsaw mill is one of the most efficient and effective tools when it comes to converting wood into lumber. Lumber is a very effective raw material that can be used for a variety of purposes. Be it for firewood or be it for construction purposes, you can certainly utilize lumber for whatever you need.
Do chainsaw sawmills work?
A chainsaw has a saw kerf right around 3/8 of an inch, which means it is very inefficient and produces a lot of sawdust. For these reasons, a chainsaw mill is definitely not to be used for optimizing the amount of lumber that you can yield from a log.
How big of a chainsaw do I need for an Alaskan mill?
Most Alaskan mills require at least 3 inches extra at the end of the bar for attachment. I also recommend going with a saw with an engine size of at least 60cc for smaller logs and softer woods. A minimum of 90cc would be best though.
Does a ripping chain cut faster?
Ripping chains are slower as the finer cut and surface takes more time than regular cutting.
Is it worth milling your own lumber?
Milling your own lumber can produce quality material for a fraction of the price of a lumber dealer. In fact, if you purchase your own mill, like I have, you can actually make a profit off of it by selling lumber to other woodworkers and by offering to mill other people’s logs.
How much does it cost to build your own sawmill?
The cost of a portable mill is about $1,500 for the base mill, plus an optional $500+ for a mechanical jack-hoist to get the logs up on the bed. A stationary mill, with all components but the engine bought new, would cost $5,000 or $6,000, and about half that used — and you still have to install it.
What is a ripping chain?
Ripping chain is chainsaw chain designed specifically for cutting with the grain. Ripping chain is always micro chisel or semi chisel chain which features a re configured cutting angle of 10 degrees.
What is a 2×4 lumber?
DIMENSIONAL LUMBER: In the past, when a timber was called a 2×4 [or “two-by-four”], it actually measured 2 inches by 4 inches. Now, most timber is milled and planed to give it a little more of a finished look, and a little more of a consistent size and profile.
How fast does a chainsaw mill cut?
Cutting speeds can vary from 8 feet a minute in narrow softwoods, to 1-1/2 feet a minute in wide hardwoods.
Can you use a chainsaw on lumber?
Yes, you can use a chainsaw to cut wet wood.
What is a chainsaw mill used for?
A chainsaw mill or PortaMill or Alaskan mill or Alaskan sawmill or Logosol sawmill is a type of sawmill incorporating a chainsaw, that is used by one or two operators to mill logs into lumber for use in furniture, construction and other uses.
Does skip tooth chain cut faster?
A skip chain has fewer cutting teeth than a conventional chain which means it won’t be dragging as many teeth through the wood you’re cutting. Less drag on the chain means less power is needed to cut through the log. That means the motor on your saw runs faster which keeps it in a more efficient power curve.
How long does it take to mill a log with a chainsaw?
In the world of chainsaw milling, the more powerful the saw the better. You can mill with a smaller saw; however, it’s going to be really slow. On average, it takes me about 10-15 minutes to make one cut using my saw, based on the size logs that I typically cut. Expect that a smaller saw will cut slower.
What CC is Alaskan mill?
In general, you will need at least 50cc to run our smallest mill (G777). The more powerful your saw, the easier your milling experience is going to be.
Whats the difference between a regular chainsaw chain and a ripping chain?
While most chainsaw chain is designed to cut across the grain of the wood you’re cutting, ripping chain is specially modified to cut along the grain. One of the main differences between ripping chain and crosscut chain is the angle that the teeth are sharpened at.